Real Estate Investing in Sterling, New York (13156)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Cayuga County • Population: 2,108 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 13156 (Sterling, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 41.7% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Sterling, NY (13156)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $236,673
Avg Monthly Rent $1,161
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $59,521
% Renters 12.0%

Market Analysis: 13156 Sterling

Not every below-median market is a bargain. Sterling's 13156 ZIP registers signals that favor experienced operators who can absorb the risk $237K pricing implies.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $237K asset, 13156 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Statewide comparisons place 13156 among NY's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The demographic picture in 13156 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Sterling averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

tilts toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Sterling:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
6/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,161/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
WARM
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
☀️
WARM MARKET
Auburn, NY Metro Area
Seller-favorable conditions, steady activity
0 days
Average time to sell
Very Fast
10.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Auburn, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 13156

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
4.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$72,223/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $206,916 $1,290 4.5% +9.4% $103,458
3BR $239,867 $1,550 4.7% +8.9% $79,956
4BR $288,892 $1,710 4.3% +9.6% $72,223

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$247K$216K$185K$154K$123K$92KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 13156 Compare?

Metric 13156 Sterling Auburn, NY New York
Home Value $236,673 $236,673 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 7.5% 7.5% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,161 $1,161 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.8% 3.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 13156? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 13156 (Sterling, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.5%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Auburn, NY metro

1/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
1/3
55%
Days Pending
0/2
0 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $236,673
Monthly Rent $1,161
Price-to-Rent 17.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.8%
5-Year IRR 11.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.5% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
41.7%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.5%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 13156

Population: 2,108

💰 Median Household Income
$59,521
This area
$59,521
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
12.0%
This area
12.0%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.1%
This area
25.1%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
55.3 years
This area
55.3 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
41.7%
This area
41.7%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.2%
Other/Mixed 6.2%
Hispanic/Latino 5.4%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
12.2%
This area
12.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
27.4%
This area
27.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 60 Off-Campus Students
C+
State University of New York at Oswego
6,756 students · 10.3 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sterling, NY a good place for real estate investing?

The 3.0/5 investability rating in Sterling, NY reflects its $237K prices and $1,161/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within NY.

What is the best play in Sterling, NY?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Sterling, NY. The numbers - $237K homes against $1,161/mo rents - support that play.

What monthly rent should investors expect in Sterling, NY?

Sterling, NY rentals go for roughly $1,161/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $237K acquisition costs.

Is Sterling, NY good for house hacking?

Sterling, NY offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,161/mo rent level.

How strong is the working-renter base in Sterling, NY?

Sterling, NY offers a stable renter base at the $1,161/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

You know 13156 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 13156 ranks in Auburn, NY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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